.500 Express Double Barrel

[miroflex]

Hi All,

I have been offered a .500 double barrel express for Rs. 2,00,000. As it is a hammer gun with Damascus barrels, it is unlikely to be a nitro express and is most likely a black powder express. I have not yet seen the weapon. A bolt action is likely to be more useful in a self defence situation than a hammer double and probably half the price. I would welcome any thoughts or suggestions.

Regards.

[Hammerhead]

It' s a different country , different mechanism , different demands and usage but personally I stay away from damascus barrels. Not sure what you are planning to do with 500 nitro, for self defense, invest in some thing better - Haji

[miroflex]

I agree that Damascus barrels can be dangerous if they have been weakened by bad handling or poor usage. In India many times firing in the air is enough to drive away intruders. The discharge of a heavy rifle at close quarters is loud enough to drive home the point that the inhabitants are awake, armed and prepared to defend themselves.

A lighter bore bolt action rifle would be handier and perhaps pose lesser problems on the ammunition front. I was interested in finding out whether the price quoted is reasonable.

Regards.

[miroflex]

In its heyday, the .500 black powder express was not regarded as a heavy bore suitable for dangerous game, except possibly the big cats. It was regarded as a medium bore compared to the eight and four bore rifles for use against elephants and other thick skinned animals.

I agree that a large bore rifle is not an ideal weapon for self defence. Double barrel hammer rifles are slower to reload than bolt action rifles after the quick second shot. They are also heavier as compared to bolt or lever action magazine rifles. The latter are a more practical proposition.

With a three weapon limit one is forced to combine many things. An antique rifle that can be fired in the air to scare away intruders is one possibility.